Best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request (that actually get replies)

Quick examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request

Let’s start with what you probably came here for: clear, realistic examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request that you can adapt in a few minutes.

Think of these as starter templates, not scripts you must follow word for word. Swap in your details, adjust the tone to match your personality and the company culture, and you’re good to go.

Short and polite follow-up (1–2 days after your request)

Use this when you’ve sent an interview request and want to gently nudge the person after a day or two. This example of a follow-up email works well when the process is moving quickly.

Subject: Quick follow-up on interview availability

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to quickly follow up on my interview request regarding the [Role Title] position. I’m very interested in the opportunity and would be glad to speak at a time that works best for you.

If it helps, I’m available [two or three time windows] but I’m happy to adjust to your schedule.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Why this works: It’s short, respectful, and makes it easy for them to say yes by offering availability without pressure.

Friendly follow-up after no response (5–7 days later)

Sometimes people are just buried in email. This is one of the best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request when you haven’t heard anything in about a week.

Subject: Following up on interview request for [Role Title]

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope your week is going well. I wanted to follow up on my previous email about scheduling an interview for the [Role Title] position. I remain very interested in the role and your team’s work on [specific project, product, or initiative].

I know schedules can be tight, so if now isn’t the right time, I’d appreciate a quick update on next steps or timing.

Thank you again for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you when you have a moment.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

This is one of those examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request that shows interest without sounding demanding. The line about “if now isn’t the right time” gives them an easy way to update you.

Follow-up when you already know the hiring timeline

If a recruiter or hiring manager mentioned a timeline (for example, “we’ll get back to you next week”), you can reference that directly. This example of a follow-up email signals that you’re paying attention and still engaged.

Subject: Checking in on interview timing for [Role Title]

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. When we last spoke, you mentioned that interviews for the [Role Title] position would likely be scheduled around [timeframe they gave]. I wanted to follow up to see if there have been any updates and to reiterate my interest in the role.

I’m still very excited about the possibility of contributing to [team, department, or specific goal you discussed], and I’d be happy to make myself available at your convenience.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best,
[Your Name]

This belongs in the best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request because it uses information they already shared and keeps the tone calm and professional.

Follow-up for an informational interview with a networking contact

Not every interview request is for a job. Sometimes you’re asking for an informational interview or career conversation. This example of a follow-up email is softer and more relationship‑focused.

Subject: Touching base on a quick career chat

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope things are going well at [Their Company]. I wanted to follow up on my earlier note about a brief informational interview to learn more about your work in [field/role]. I know you have a lot on your plate, so even 15–20 minutes at a time that suits you would be greatly appreciated.

If now isn’t a good time, I completely understand. I’d be grateful for any guidance you’re able to share, whether that’s a short call, an email response, or a recommendation of someone else I might speak with.

Thank you again for considering my request.

All the best,
[Your Name]

This is one of the more flexible examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request because it gives them options: a call, an email, or a referral.

Follow-up after a referral introduced you

If someone has referred you and you’ve already sent an interview request to the hiring manager, your follow-up can lightly remind them of the mutual connection.

Subject: Following up on [Referrer Name]’s introduction

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on my earlier email after [Referrer Name] kindly introduced us regarding the [Role Title] position.

I remain very interested in the opportunity to contribute to [team or project], and I’d welcome the chance to speak with you whenever your schedule allows. I know things can get busy, so if there’s a better time to reconnect, please let me know.

Thank you again for your time, and please extend my thanks to [Referrer Name] as well.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Examples include slight variations in how much you emphasize the referral; adjust based on how strong the connection is.

Follow-up when you suspect they’re not moving forward

Sometimes silence means the process has slowed or shifted. This example of follow-up email after sending an interview request lets you get closure without burning bridges.

Subject: Quick check-in on [Role Title] process

Email:
Hi [Name],

I hope your week is going smoothly. I wanted to briefly check in regarding my interview request for the [Role Title] position. I realize priorities can change, and I completely understand if the timeline has shifted or if you’ve moved forward with other candidates.

If you’re able to share a quick update, I’d really appreciate it. I remain interested in [Company] and would be glad to stay in touch about future opportunities that might be a better fit.

Thank you again for your time.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This is one of the more realistic examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request for 2024–2025, when hiring can pause or change suddenly.

Polite “final” follow-up

After two follow-ups with no response, it’s reasonable to send a final note. This is another example of a follow-up email that keeps the door open while respecting their time.

Subject: Final follow-up on interview request

Email:
Hi [Name],

I know your time is valuable, so I’ll keep this brief. I wanted to send one last follow-up regarding my interview request for the [Role Title] position.

If the role is no longer available or you’ve decided to move in a different direction, no reply is needed. If you are still scheduling conversations and think my background could be helpful to the team, I’d be glad to connect.

Either way, thank you for considering my interest in [Company]. I appreciate the time you and your team invest in the hiring process.

Best wishes,
[Your Name]

This belongs among the best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request when you want to close the loop gracefully.

How to customize these examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request

The patterns in these examples are simple on purpose. You can adapt almost any example of follow-up email to your situation by focusing on four things:

Timing.
For most roles, a first follow-up after 3–5 business days is reasonable. For fast‑moving roles (like some tech or contract roles), 1–2 days may be fine. For higher‑level or academic roles, a week can be normal. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management notes that federal hiring timelines can be longer than private sector roles, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re applying to government positions (opm.gov).

Tone.
Match the company’s style. A startup with a casual careers page might be fine with slightly more conversational language. A university or hospital system might call for a more formal tone. Career centers at universities like Harvard offer guidance on email professionalism that you can adapt to your own style (Harvard Office of Career Services).

Clarity.
Every good follow-up email does three things: reminds them who you are, references your original interview request, and clearly states what you’re hoping for (an update, a call, or future consideration). If your message doesn’t do those three things, it’s time to revise.

Brevity.
In 2024–2025, hiring teams are juggling more applications, more tools, and more internal communication than ever. Short, skimmable follow-ups are more likely to get read. Aim for 4–8 sentences, broken into short paragraphs.

When you look at all these examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request side by side, you’ll notice they’re all under about 200 words and get to the point quickly.

Modern trends that affect how your follow-up emails land

The job market and communication norms have shifted in the last few years. That’s why updated examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request matter more now than they did in, say, 2018.

Remote and hybrid work.
Hiring managers may be in different time zones, juggling virtual meetings, and working odd hours. A polite follow-up that acknowledges busy schedules (“I know things can be hectic…”) reads as more empathetic and current.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Many companies use software to manage candidates. Your original interview request might be buried in a system or lost in a filter. A clear subject line like “Following up on interview request for [Role Title]” helps your email stand out as human and relevant.

Ghosting and long timelines.
Studies and career surveys from the last few years show that candidates experience more silence during hiring processes than they used to. Career advisors at universities and organizations like the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) encourage polite persistence and multiple follow-ups, not just one message and done (naceweb.org).

All of this makes realistic examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request especially helpful. They give you language that fits current expectations and pressures on both sides.

How many times to follow up (and when to stop)

You don’t want to be the person who emails every day, but you also don’t need to disappear after one message. Here’s a simple rhythm you can apply to any example of follow-up email:

• First follow-up: about 3–5 business days after your original interview request.
• Second follow-up: about 5–7 business days after the first follow-up.
• Final follow-up: 7–10 business days after the second, using a “final check‑in” tone like the example above.

If there’s still no response after your final note, it’s usually time to move on and focus your energy elsewhere.

One more thing: if you receive an automated response (like an out‑of‑office or a note that they’ve left the company), adjust your timing and contact a different person if appropriate.

Common mistakes these examples help you avoid

When people write follow-ups without guidance, the same problems pop up again and again. The best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request help you dodge these:

Sounding annoyed or impatient.
Phrases like “I’ve emailed you multiple times” or “I expected to hear back by now” can hurt you. Notice how the examples focus on your interest and flexibility instead of frustration.

Writing a wall of text.
Long paragraphs are easy to ignore. Every example of follow-up email here uses short paragraphs and clear spacing so the reader can skim in seconds.

Leaving out context.
Never assume the recipient remembers exactly who you are. Good examples include your role, the date or reference to your previous email, and sometimes a detail about the team or project.

Being too vague.
“Just checking in” by itself doesn’t say much. The stronger examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request ask for a specific thing: an update on timing, a quick call, or confirmation about the status of the role.

If you use the templates above as a starting point and keep these pitfalls in mind, your follow-ups will already be in better shape than most.

FAQ: examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request

What is a simple example of a follow-up email after sending an interview request?
A simple example might look like this:

Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to follow up on my interview request for the [Role Title] position that I sent on [date]. I remain very interested in the role and would welcome the chance to speak with you whenever it’s convenient.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
[Your Name]

This is one of the cleanest examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request because it’s short, polite, and clear.

How long should I wait before sending a follow-up email?
In many industries in the U.S., 3–5 business days is a reasonable wait time. For government or academic roles, where hiring timelines are often longer, waiting about a week can be appropriate. University career centers, such as those at major schools like Harvard, often recommend a similar timeline for students and alumni.

Is it okay to send more than one follow-up?
Yes. Many career advisors suggest up to two or three follow-ups, spaced several days apart, as long as your tone stays respectful. That’s why several of the best examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request in this guide are designed as first, second, and final touches.

Should I change the subject line when I follow up?
You can keep the same subject line and add “Follow-up” or “Checking in” at the beginning, or you can switch to a clearer line like “Following up on interview request for [Role Title].” Many of the examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request above use that format to help your message stand out in a busy inbox.

What if they never respond to any of my follow-ups?
Unfortunately, that happens. If you’ve sent a couple of thoughtful follow-ups and still hear nothing, it’s usually a sign to move on. Keep your focus on opportunities where communication is active. The good news is that having strong, reusable examples of follow-up email after sending an interview request makes it easier to keep reaching out to other roles without rewriting from scratch every time.

If you copy, tweak, and reuse these examples, you’ll start to build your own library of real examples that fit your voice and your industry. That way, the next time you send an interview request and the silence stretches a little too long, you’ll know exactly what to say—and you’ll say it in a way that sounds like you.